The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-16
WILL NOT DO DOUBLE DUTY
The Street-Car Drivers Join In the Pop
ular Demand for Conductors,
And Refuse to obey the Ordinance Requiring
Them to Call the Names Of Streets Crossed
Many of Them Arrested.

When the notice requiring street-car drivers to
call out the names of streets as they are crossed
was posted in the Office of the street-railway
stables yesterday morning, the men without
much consultation decided that they would not
comply with the demand, and they didn't. On
Saturday after Superintendent Travis had been
notified that he would be expected to enforce the
ordinance, he had conference with President
johnson, who promised that he would see that
the ordinance was obeyed. although he thought
it unnecessary hardship imposed on the
drivers. In accordance with his promise, he had
the notice posted in the stable. At roll-cail yes
terday morning the patrclmsn were no
tilted that they would be expected to
see that the law WAS enforced Early in the
day the patrolmen the drivers were ig-
norng the law and several of the officers tele-
pnoned to Superintendent Travis to know what
they should de. He instructed them to arrest
every driver who didn't call out the streets, and
il half an hour the police began bringing drivers
to the station. The first arrested was Thomas
L. Clgg. on the stock yard line He sent for
VIM. T. Steele, the manager of the company.
Mr. Steele came TO the station-house, and was
very indignant over the interference with the
running of the cars He said II the police were
going to interfere with their business they might
as we'll stop running cars. Superintendent Travis
told Mr.. Steele that Colonel johnson had prom
ised that the drivers shonld obey the ordinance.
and, if no such promise had been made.
he would that it was done. Mr. Steele
finally became reconciled, and offered to see that
all men arrested were in court this morning it
the superintendent would let them go without
bail. which he did.
The arrest of the first man did not serve to
frighten the other drivers into obeying the ordi-
nance, and during the day only about q half
dczen of them paid any attention to it. 1t was
difficult for the police to watch both the saloons
and the drivers and the former received the
lions share of attention. However. during the
afternoon drivers were taken from their
cars aud to the station house. They were Chas.
Warner, John Brown, Paul Hines. Frank Hill
grass, William Dood9 and Charles Gutzmller
Many of the patrolmen did not feel inclined to
take the men from the cars, but took their
names, and will arrest them on warrants to-day.
The object of the refusal to obey the order is
supposed to be to make the employment OF con-
the Streets because it isn't any particular hard
ship for us" said one of the drivers to a Journal
reporter, ''but the issuing of the order gives us
chance to make q unanimous demand for CON
ductors and that is what we are doing. We
have long wanted conductors placed on the cars.
but we knew it would do good to ask for
them. and for that reason we kept quiet Now
we have a chance TO show that we are compelled
TO have them. The streets ought to be called
out. We acknowledge that. but we claim that
it isn't business. Our plea before the
Mayor will be that not responsible for
the failure of the law to be obeyed. and that the
company is the responsible party. Our bust
ness is to drive the car. and if the company
doesn't provide a conductor to call the streets
it must be held responsible and not
us If the law will only hold
that the driver cannot be compelled to call the
streets, then conductors will have to De put on.
We have enough to do without taking any more
work. To watch team, prevent accidents
and keep lookout for passengers on the streets
is enough for u.s. and it is all we propose to do"
The men arrested hardly expect the company
to pay their fines if they should he found guilty,
although Manager Steele willingly stood good for
their appearance. Mr.. Steele hardly thinks the
men will hold out long for conductors. 1t seems
to be the opinion of the company that the drivers
will not dare to become contrary, for fear of be-
ing discharged, and it is believed that by to-day
they will all have concluded to obey the ordi-
nance. Public feeling is with the drivers.